Regular readers of this blog will know my affection for Connie Francis.
Please refer to other comments regarding ravings as well as biographical detail.
Regular readers will also know of my fondness for albums of film song interpretations.
I love films and I love film themes from the “classic” age so Connie plus film themes is going to be a winner.
And, the bonus here is, if Connie runs true to form she will put her own stamp on the songs.
This is all important.
It is also a challenge to the listener. Film themes by their nature are well known (and usually well loved) so any individuality has to respect the original whilst also taking the song somewhere else.
You could say this applies to all covers, and it does, but with film themes there is an extra emphasis on “respect” as the film themes dovetail, usually, emotionally into the individual’s love of the film.
In other words, people get narky if the new version offends either the original tune or their memories of the film.
Connie, a poppy rock singer with a solid grounding in trad pop balladry was (like most trad pop singers) not against covering as many bases as possible.
Her regular pop rock albums were joined by Christmas albums, latest trends (the twist, Latin) albums, Broadway song albums, country song albums, gospel albums etc. It was inevitable that she would tackle a Hollywood film theses album (which were commonplace in the late 50s, early 60s).
In fact it was her second album of themes … her first being “Connie Francis Sings Never On Sunday and Other Title Songs from Motion Pictures” from 1961. She would do another in 1966, “Movie Greats of the 60's”.
It came about (apparently) as follows: “In April 1962, Connie Francis was working mostly in Europe, recording several German language songs at Austrophon Studio, located in the basement of the Konzerthaus in Vienna. Between April 26 and 28, Francis spent three days in Rome, recording a set of thirteen songs intended for an album of Academy Award winning songs with the rather lengthy title Connie Francis sings Award Winning Motion Picture Hits … The playbacks to these songs had been pre-recorded at EMI's famous Abbey Road Studios in London under the supervision of Francis' British producer Norman Newell and were conducted by Geoff Love. The tapes of these playbacks had been shipped to Rome, where Francis overdubbed her vocals at RCA Italiana Studios. Francis was unsatisfied with the results and it was decided to postpone the album's release which had originally been planned for early summer of 1962. The album remained in the vaults until March 1963. When Francis decided to record the winning song from the 1963 Academy Award ceremony, "Days of Wine and Roses," plans were made to include this recording to the set of songs from the 1962 sessions. Yet, Francis still was not satisfied with the whole album and asked orchestra leader Don Costa – who had arranged and conducted her # 1 hit "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" in November 1961 and was also in charge of Francis' recording of "Days of Wine and Roses" – to create and record new playbacks for the 1962 recordings while keeping Francis' original vocals. Between March 15 and April 4, 1963, Costa recorded new playbacks to twelve of the thirteen songs; some of them even underwent a second treatment until Francis was finally satisfied with the results”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Francis_Sings_Award_Winning_Motion_Picture_Hits
This album was her 26th album (yes twenty sixth).
Since 1958.
Yes, her 26th album in five years.
She was certainly a work house and what is surprising is the high quality of her work.
And this album is no exception.
Many singers have released these songs, and a lot sound the same. Not Connie. I am always surprised by her singular interpretation of every song she sings.
Not all the covers replace the originals but they are never uninteresting or throwaway.
And, that is, usually more than enough. Anything else is a bonus.
And, there are many bonuses.
Here she leans to middle of the row standards, as you would expect from movie songs of the time. It is hard to make these songs sound your own because they are so identified with prior acts but Connie does make them sound fresh, which is no mean feat. There are moments of pop balladry perfection here.
The beauty is the songs are updated to 1963. They aren't rock but they are pop with some (ballad) beat. Think, (especially) Bobby Darin, (perhaps) Bobby Vinton or (even) Elvis Presley if he worked with a full band of about the same time. And, the songs would be aimed at the same market … older teens, twenty-somethings and "older" types who like the old tunes.
Strings are kept in check (lush ones are on the outer), backing vocals have a touch of the pop rock shooby doo bahs and some of the arrangements are a little quirky.
These are all good things.
But, it would not be enough, with the wrong singer.
Connie is the right singer, she nails these songs.
Tracks (best in italics)
Side One
- Days of Wine and Roses – (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) – beautifully sung as any song about love and alcoholism. Quite wistful as it would and should be.
- Secret Love – (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) – another wonderful interpretation. It may forever be associated with Doris Day but Connie almost matches it.
- Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – (Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert) – an oldie given a jazzy treatment with some crazy organ work.
- When You Wish upon a Star – (Leigh Harline, Ned Washington) – the Judy standard is give a rock ballad interpretation with some Jordanaires like backing.
- Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) – (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) – another song forever associated with Doris Day. The continental flavour with accordion is glorious.
- Over the Rainbow – (Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg) – another wow performance. Connie does this standard much like Elvis did the (few) standards he did. She takes the essence of the song but makes it a pop rock ballad.
Side Two
- Moon River – (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) – a great song, given a great interpretation. Perhaps one of the best ever.
- Lullaby of Broadway – (Harry Warren, Al Dubin) – more crazy organ, and great fun.
- You'll Never Know – (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) – Gentle and perhaps a little old fashioned, but, well sung.
- The Last Time I Saw Paris – (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) – heavy on Parisian atmosphere. If it's from continental Europe let's use an accordion. Works for me.
- High Hopes – (Jimmy van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) – This swings more than Frank Sinatra's gently swinging version.
- The Way You Look Tonight – (Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields) – gentle and suitably romantic.
- All the Way – (Jimmy van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) – beautifully sung. It's not Sinatra but it is one of the best female versions I have heard.
Song archaeology
"Days of Wine and Roses" from Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Andy Williams had a US#26 with it in 1963.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Wine_and_Roses_(song)
"Secret Love" from Calamity Jane (1953)
Forever associated with Doris Day who had a US#1 (UK#1) with it in 1953.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Love_(Doris_Day_song)
"Zip-a-Dee-Dooh-Dah" from Song of the South (1946)
Done by everyone though Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, a Phil Spector-produced American rhythm and blues trio from Los Angeles, had a US#8 with it in 1963.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
"When You Wish upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940)
The song has been recorded by everyone in trad pop and jazz but hasn’t had any major chart action.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_You_Wish_Upon_a_Star
"Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Qué Será, Será)" from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Another song forever associated with Doris Day, US#2, UK#1 1956.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera_(Whatever_Will_Be,_Will_Be)
"Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Forever associated with Judy Garland (it became her signature song).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Rainbow
"Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Sung by many artists it became Andy Williams’ signature song. Williams' version was never released as a single, but it charted as an LP track on his hit album of 1962, "Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes" (US #3)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_River
"Lullaby of Broadway" from Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935)
Done by everyone. Doris Day recorded the song twice in 1950, with the Norman Luboff Choir and the Buddy Cole Quartet and then with Harry James and his orchestra.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullaby_of_Broadway_(song)
"You'll Never Know" from Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943)
The song is associated with Alice Faye who sang it in the film (she also sang it in the 1944 film "Four Jills in a Jeep"). Frank Sinatra had a US#2 1943 with it. Doris Day recorded a version in 1958 on her "Hooray for Hollywood" album, and Connie's close friend Bobby Darin recorded a version for his 1962 album, "Oh! Look at Me Now".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ll_Never_Know
"The Last Time I Saw Paris" from Lady Be Good (1941)
Ann Sothern sang it in the film. Dean Martin recorded it for his album “French Style" (1962)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Time_I_Saw_Paris_(song)
"High Hopes" from A Hole in the Head (1959)
Forever associated with Frank Sinatra, US#30, UK#6 1959.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Hopes_(Frank_Sinatra_song)
"The Way You Look Tonight" from Swing Time (1936)
Originally recorded by Fred Astaire. The Lettermen had a US#13, UK#36 in 1961 with the song.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_You_Look_Tonight
"All the Way" from The Joker Is Wild (1957)
Forever associated with Frank Sinatra, US#2, UK#3 1957. Brenda Lee recorded it for her 1961 album "All The Way".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_Way_(Frank_Sinatra_song)
And …
A masterpiece of pop balladry … I'm keeping it.
Chart Action
US
Singles
—
Album
1963 #108
England
nothing
Sounds
Complete
Side One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5497DbKeQjw
Side Two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tmewWec36U
Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNW_9evRUTM
What Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera)
mp3 attached
Over The Rainbow
mp3 attached
Moon River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87xa7dJ24s
The Way You Look Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_pmchxVHYY
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWQbDr2uMbs
with Andy Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6FeKUhkLSE
Review
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Francis_Sings_Award_Winning_Motion_Picture_Hits
Bio
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/connie-francis-mn0000117064/biography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Francis
Website
https://www.conniefrancis.com/
Trivia
- The back sleeve lists twelve songs beginning with "Moon River". You will note the front specifies an "added attraction", "Days of Wine and Roses". It starts the first side off whilst "Moon River" becomes the opening track on Side Two. The labels reflect the correct playing order.
- Produced by Danny Davis.
